AUGUST 2026
Our Approach to Summer At BGCSF, summer is more than a season — it’s a transformative time for youth to experience joy, exploration, self-discovery, and connection. Free from the pressures of the school year, young people discover new passions, build meaningful friendships, explore their communities, and imagine bigger futures through enriching experiences that blend fun, learning, mentorship, and adventure. With extended hours and unique opportunities, our Clubhouses and Camp Mendocino become second homes where youth uncover their strengths, develop new skills, and create lasting memories in a community where they feel they belong.
Where We Show Up 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Don Fisher Clubhouse Tenderloin Clubhouse Columbia Park Clubhouse Mission Clubhouse Excelsior Clubhouse San Francisco Community School Club Springer Clubhouse at Sunnydale Visitacion Valley Clubhouse Bayshore School Club BGCSF Beacon at Carver Elementary School BGCSF Beacon at Malcolm X Academy Elementary School 12 Willie Mays Clubhouse at Hunters Point 13 Camp Mendocino * We do not run summer programming at our two Gateway School Clubs.
Who We Served This Summer Over 4,015 total youth served
1,403 average daily
attendance across 12 Clubs (8% increase from Summer ’25)
Who We Served This Summer Youth served by Gender Identity
Youth served by Grade Group
Youth served by Race/Ethnicity
The Magic of Camp Mendocino Camp Mendocino is one of BGCSF’s signature summer experiences, giving youth ages 8–17 the chance to explore and grow in the heart of Mendocino County’s majestic redwoods. Located on 2,000 acres along the Noyo River, Camp is as beautiful as it is impactful. Free from screens and immersed in nature, campers discover new strengths, forge lasting friendships, and create memories that will stay with them long after summer ends. More than just a summer camp, Camp Mendocino is a place where young people experience the joy of belonging and leave with a deeper sense of confidence, connection, and possibility.
Camp Programming Highlights Each day at Camp is packed with hands-on, confidence-building experiences that spark joy, creativity, and personal growth. This summer, campers soared through the trees on the zipline and high ropes, explored archery and mountain biking, created art and crafts, swam and kayaked in the Noyo River, stargazed under the dark night sky, and embraced beloved traditions, from spirited village cheers and flagpole ceremonies to talent shows in the open-air theater. • 1,138 youth spots filled over 7 week-long sessions • 48% were returning campers
Teens at Camp One of Camp’s most impactful experiences is the Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program. Teens take on real responsibility, develop life and job readiness skills, and learn what it means to lead with purpose. For many, becoming a LIT is a turning point — shaping their identity, goals, and future path. • 100% of Camp LITs reported developing new leadership skills • 30% of adult staff this summer were former Camp LITs
Camp Impact
Camper Experience
Camp is a great place to experience new things and make new friends.” Camp is really fun and there is so much to do. It’s somewhere I never wanna leave.” The camp is fun and cool and I’ll rate it a 1,000,000,000/10.” Camp is my happy place and camp stays with me.”
Community Engagement, Health & Wellness
Summer at the Club
Sports, Fitness, & Play Summers at the Club reflect BGCSF’s ongoing commitment to healthy lifestyles through daily play, structured sports, and wellness activities that promote physical and emotional well-being. 2,293 youth
Junior Giants
participated in sports or physical activities
Through Junior Giants, our free, noncompetitive baseball program offered in partnership with the Giants Community Fund, young people learned the fundamentals of the game while building teamwork, leadership, respect, and sportsmanship.
234 youth
participated in Junior Giants baseball league
Swim Academy at Don Fisher Clubhouse This summer at the Don Fisher Clubhouse Swim Academy, youth strengthened their swimming skills through Learn-to-Swim classes, recreational swim, high school swim, girls water polo, and our competitive swim team. Our young people also joined the Dolphin Club in Aquatic Park for cold water swims in the Bay.
547 youth
participated in BGCSF’s Swim Academy
Surf Lessons with MeWater Foundation This summer we continued our partnership with the MeWater Foundation to provide surfing lessons. Young people had the chance to celebrate every wave they caught and gain confidence in the ocean. Over
75 youth
learned to surf
SF All-Stars Sports Camps This summer we offered week-long intensive SF All-Stars sports camps as standalone, low-commitment entry points into the Club experience. With dedicated sessions for basketball and soccer, athletes of all experience levels competed, stayed active, and developed resilience in a fun, teamfocused environment.
SF All-Stars Sports Camp Impact • 100% had fun at the sports camp • 100% felt the coaches were able to teach and motivate them As a result of participating, campers…
My kiddo came home from the first day of basketball camp and was excited to show me how much faster she can run, how she can dribble behind her back and between her legs. Each day she came home with a new drill, a new experience, a great attitude and increased confidence and self-esteem… and sore legs! I went on family day and watched them do some drills/games. I was impressed by the overall morale of the kids and respect they had for each other, the coaches and the sport.” — Caregiver of first-time camper & new member of the Don Fisher Clubhouse
Summer Dance Camp BGCSF & SF Ballet partnered for the 11th consecutive summer. Led by professional teaching artists and musicians, young people participated in a week-long exploration of dance traditions from around the world, including ballet, bhangra, Bollywood, Asian folk dance, and West African dance, complete with live drumming sessions.
Project-Based Learning for Academic Success Through cross-discipline and thematic STEM and literacy programming, we combat summer learning loss and spark a love of learning outside the classroom. One highlight this summer was “Exploring the World: Passports & Penalties,” which leveraged young people’s excitement about the 2026 World Cup to teach math, reading, art, geography, and more.
1,793 youth
participated in academic programming
Spelling Bee & Quiz Bowl A highlight each summer is our Citywide Spelling Bee and Quiz Bowl, which brings members from every Clubhouse together to celebrate learning. Elementary school students showcased their spelling skills on stage, while middle schoolers tested their knowledge across a wide range of subjects in a friendly academic competition. • 44 elementary youth participated in the Spelling Bee • 32 middle schoolers participated in the Quiz Bowl competition
City Hall Day This summer our young leaders took action to inspire change and build a better future for themselves and their community. For City Hall Day, five teen advocates joined BGCSF leadership at City Hall to speak directly with city officials about issues affecting their daily lives, including crowded bus lines, street cleanliness, school funding, and access to healthy food. PHOTO: D11 Supervisor,
Chyanne Chen with BGCSF youth and staff
Leaders-in-Training Program Our summer programs help teens build critical skills for the future. Through the Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program, youth gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities to lead within the Club and Camp Mendocino. • 216 teens were connected to internships & work opportunities through the Club • 118 teens participated in work-based learning opportunities at our San Francisco Clubs • 98 teens participated in leadership training and work-based learning opportunities at Camp Mendocino
Career Exposure Events Workshops on mock interviews, paired with real-world career exposure visits to local companies give teens the confidence and tools to take their next steps toward employment and independence. • 385 middle and high schoolers participated in 8 summer career exploration opportunities with local employers including — Guittard Chocolate, Bay Club, Fastly, Neiman Marcus, Royal Auto, PNC, Old Navy, and Stockbridge. • 254 youth participated in financial literacy programming
World Cup Watch Parties & Other Special Events BGCSF youth were all in on the World Cup this summer, cheering on their favorite teams at local watch parties with partners including Street Soccer USA and Bay FC. Additional special events included:
• Field trips to de Young Museum, Top Golf, Exploratorium, San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco Symphony, Presidio Tunnel Tops, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Marine Mammal Center, and more • A vibrant Pride celebration hosted at the Don Fisher Clubhouse that welcomed kids from across BGCSF • Water Day at Excelsior
Summer 2026 Caregiver Feedback • 95% feel they can count on the Club if they need support • 93% believe the Club is helping prepare their child for the future
I love the care that the staff members have for the kiddos even after being with them for the whole day, they still ask them how their day went and cheer them on for the next day.”
I value the genuine care and dedication the staff shows to each child. My child feels safe, respected, and supported, and I appreciate that the staff always treats the children with kindness. I believe the positive environment has a big impact on their confidence and overall well-being.” There are so many aspects of the Club that we are grateful for…I have never met folks that are so invested and passionate about developing our kids into stand-up members of society. They hold them accountable, look after their safety, have endless amounts of patience and enrich their lives. This experience has been nothing short of a blessing to us. My daughter has been exposed to sports, art, camp, social experiences and so much love…I can’t thank them enough for all they do — truly!”
Thank you!
@BGCSF